Chicago Sky out of playoffs again, while Angel Reese thrives in Atlanta

Jun 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Sky’s playoff hopes officially ended, while Angel Reese delivered the defining performance of her first season with the Atlanta Dream as the franchise secured its own postseason berth. The contrasting outcomes underscored how dramatically the fortunes of Reese and her former team have changed since the offseason.

Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention after falling to the Indiana Fever, ending another difficult campaign for a franchise that has struggled to establish consistency since Reese entered the league. The Sky’s season has been marked by uneven results, and their latest loss left them unable to remain in the postseason race with the regular season nearing its conclusion.

Reese, meanwhile, has helped Atlanta reach the playoffs in her first season with the franchise. The Dream clinched their postseason spot with a 99-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, with the All-Star producing the finest scoring performance of her WNBA career in the process.

The former Sky forward erupted for a career-high 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, recording her 25th double-double of the season. Reese shot 14 of 21 from the field and scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, allowing Atlanta to withstand a late Phoenix push and secure one of the league’s most important wins of its season.

Chicago Sky Miss the Playoffs While Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream Make the Postseason

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) celebrates a basket against the Minnesota Lynx. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Reese continues to thrive in Atlanta as she leads the Dream to the playoffs while Chicago got eliminated by Clark and the Fever. The latter can be seen in a post shared by Yahoo Sports on X.

The Chicago Sky are officially eliminated from WNBA playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/IXEiMctzmQ

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 24, 2026

Her breakthrough performance capped a remarkable stretch for Atlanta, which has won five of its last six games while positioning itself among the league’s top teams. Reese had already produced a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double against Los Angeles while shooting a perfect 9 for 9 from the field, demonstrating the broader impact she has brought to the Dream beyond her scoring.

For Chicago, the end of the playoff chase represents another offseason filled with questions, while Atlanta can turn its attention toward postseason preparation with Reese playing some of her best basketball. The Sky will watch the playoffs from home, but Reese and the Dream have earned the opportunity to compete for a championship, creating a striking divide between the former team and its one-time centerpiece.